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Self Improvements For The New Year
Here we are again, starting a new year with a clean slate. I love this time of year because it has all the hope of a new beginning and the opportunity to recreate ourselves one more time. I find this a very optimistic time and enjoy setting an intention each new year. The concept of creating our resolutions thrills me as I am relentless about self improvement and welcome every opportunity to map out a beautiful future.
Here we are again, starting a new year with a clean slate. I love this time of year because it has all the hope of a new beginning and the opportunity to recreate ourselves one more time. I find this a very optimistic time and enjoy setting an intention each new year. The concept of creating our resolutions thrills me as I am relentless about self improvement and welcome every opportunity to map out a beautiful future.
We all do it. We make our lists. . . mental or actual, and we so fervently ‘hope’ that we can stick to it. We resolve to learn an instrument, work out daily, stop smoking, start spending more time with our families. We resolve to drop twenty pounds, get our finances in order, give more to charity.
In years past, I didn’t really get how to do it. I would make an annual (also a daily, weekly, monthly) resolution to lose weight, but it never ended up happening. Why? Well, there were definitely blockages of the mental variety. There was also the physical addiction to sugar, (which I’ve heard is harder to kick than heroin-not the severity of the symptoms, but in the addictive nature. Also not helping matters is that sugar is in nearly everything.) But there was something that just didn’t add up. Wanting is not the same as doing.
In previous articles I’ve written about my self transformation in terms of weight loss and I am achieving the health goals I’ve resolved to reach for many years and have figured out some keys to self improvement on all levels.
Our first step in actually succeeding with our resolutions is to turn inward and reflect on exactly what it is that we want. Write it out, like a letter to your other than conscious self, and give it some details, some substance, so that you can really begin to see yourself as a non-smoker, so that you really understand what financial freedom is, so that you picture yourself as a fit person. Frame these desires in the affirmative. Instead of writing, ‘I don’t want to be fat anymore’, write, ‘I am achieving optimum physical health through exercise, proper nutrition and a positive mental attitude.’ Remember, all things are possible.
The next step to achieving your goals is to figure out where you are being drained. This could be an innocent drain. . .maybe your grandmother sends you chocolates. Maybe your group of friends smoke. If you’re trying to slim down or stop smoking, these are potential spots where you are going to be sabotaged. Expressing your intention to these people will allow them to assist you in your quest.
Next, try connecting emotion to what you’re attempting to achieve. In doing this, you add depth and strengthen your resolve. Focus on what you will have and the happy feelings you will experience. Anchor your commitment and movement towards this to the happy feelings. This makes success infinitely more possible.
The last thing I would suggest, and this is my favorite, and I think, the most powerful, visualize. This is the core of intention. This is the core of self-actualization. Visualize your waistline shrinking. Visualize your investments growing. Visualize yourself in that new car, that new house. And as with everything, be grateful for what you have and what you will soon have.
Happy New Year.